Tommy Hale - Magnificent Bastards

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 22 / 12 / 2016

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Review

Tommy Hale might well be based in Dallas, Texas but a glance at the credits on his third solo album ‘Magnificent Bastard’ (it has a different meaning over there apparently) would have you thinking that this another British album of first-class Americana/roots rock. Produced by Simon Moor in Wiltshire who also plays guitar on the album, he’s not the only member of respected band the Snakes who contributes to the songs. John O’Sullivan lends his talents on bass, pedal steel and acoustic guitars, Nick Beere adds keyboards, theremin and guitar while Dan Tilbury (who also plays with the Redlands Palomino Company) occupies the drum stool. But don’t be fooled. While the input from producer Moor no doubt coloured the album and it reads like a Snakes album fronted by Hale, the results are pure Tommy Hale just possibly delivering his finest set of songs to date and maybe even his most personal and honest too. The album is a perfect nine songs short. Eight are originals written by Hale, Moor and O’Sullivan and it closes with a cover of Bill Withers ‘Hope She’ll Be Happier’ from his ‘Just As I Am’ debut album. So being a contrary bastard we’ll start with that song. Hale is far from the first to cover a Bill Withers song of course, but few are the covers that the discerning music lover would pick over the original, although surprisingly Mud did take ‘Lean On Me’ to a completely different place. Vocally Hale pours his heart and soul into this reading. His vocals have never been less than passionate but on this cover he really excels. It’s a powerful, soulful performance and one that Hale can rightly be proud of. The sparse musical backing, just a lonely guitar, is accompanied only by various electronic noises that add an eerie yet strangely comforting atmosphere. That it’s one of the most successful arrangements of a Bill Withers song is immediately obvious. You can hear the care and consideration that all concern have poured in to the song resulting in a remarkable performance. So back to the beginning and the opening, title track, a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' flavoured rocker that looks back on old friends and his youth. While Hale is no doubt getting a little tired over the Petty comparisons made for the title song, there is no denying the influence and, hey, what’s so bad about Petty anyway? Compare the Hale on the ‘Magnificent Bastard’ song with the one that closes the album on the Bill Withers cover, could Petty, talented as he is, cover that much ground? ‘Homecoming Mum’ is simply gorgeous. A nagging guitar line leads into a superb slice of Americana. It’s a pretty melody with Hale turning in another outstanding vocal performance both vulnerable and soulful. The homely keyboard touches turn the song further into country/soul territory. It’s one of those songs that the listener can simply live inside. Again Hale is reflecting on the past in the lyrics but it would matter not what Hale was singing about, even the sha-la-las as the song folds raise the hairs on your neck. Even at nearly six minutes long the song ends far too soon. It’s a remarkable performance from all concerned. ‘Simple Song’ is a pretty love song - “Just because it’s been left unsaid, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be said/I love you” - and one of those songs that once heard is never forgotten. Hale has the talent to adapt his voice to suit the various permutations in the songs on ‘Magnificent Bastard’. Here there’s a pronounced country lilt which, given what has gone before is unexpected but which works so well. Just when you think that ‘Simple Song’ is the most instant and appealing song on the album Hale delivers ‘Can I Lay Down Next to You?’ which has another captivating melody accompanied by Hale’s emotive vocals. ‘Backburner’ is the most edgy song on the album out-rocking even the title track. Placed at the halfway point it’s a timely reminder that Hale can match any of his rockier contemporaries and gives notice not to think that he’s getting a little too mellow as the years pass. ‘Just How She Died’ is a country weeper and a lesson in first class country songwriting, displaying yet another side to Hale’s talents. ‘Save Me (The Ballad of Odell Barnes Jr.)’ is no doubt the song on this album that is special to Hale. It retells the story of a childhood friend who was convicted of murder and ended up on Death Row ; he was eventually killed by lethal injection. Again Hale turns in a stunning vocal, and the song which starts with just piano backing builds to a full-band performance with some scorching guitar and a gospel backing. Imagine The Stones at their very best mixing up ‘Wild Horses’ with ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ and you’re halfway there. It’ll leave you breathless and is worth the price of the album alone. It’s been some eight years since Hale’s last album but ‘Magnificent Bastard’ has been worth the wait and if we have to wait that long for more songs and playing of this calibre then so be it. Albums this heartfelt and powerful don’t come overnight.

Track Listing:-

1 Magnificent Bastard
2 Homecoming Mum
3 Simple Song
4 Can I Lay Down Next to You
5 Backburner
6 Just How She Died
7 Sonrisas y Sunshine
8 Save Me
9 Hope She'll Be Happier

Band Links:-

http://tommyhale.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thetommyhale/